Demise of Ali ibn Abi Taalib (Karramalllahu Wajhah)

Events of Ramadhaan

On Sunday 20 Ramadhaan in the 40th year after Hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah Sayyiduna Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu was martyred at the age of 63.

He was the cousin of Rasullullah Sallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam, the first among the youth to accept Islam, the fourth Khaleefah of Islam and among the ten companions who were promised paradise. He married Faatimah Radiyallahu 'Anhaa and had five children from her, Hasan, Husayn, Muhsin, Zaynab and Umm Kulthoom.

He was known for his bravery and even went to the extent of lying in the bed of Nabi Sallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam when his life was under threat before migration to Madina Munawwarah.

He was so just during his reign of Khilaafah that his companions report having seen him wearing course cloth not worth more than three Dirhams. When his servant once brought forth a utensil filled with some valuables in it, Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu immediately rebuked him saying, 'Do you desire that a fire burn the home of Ali (in the hereafter)?'. He immediately distributed the valuables that were shown to him. This was his level of abstinence and caution regarding the property of the state.

His reign of Khilaafah lasted five years and was sadly ended when a Kharijite attacked him during the early morning. He later succumbed to the wounds and passed in Kufa, Iraq.

Demise of Khadeejah Radiyallahu 'Anhaa

Events of Ramadhaan
Mother of the believers, Khadeejah Radiyallahu 'Anhaa passed away at the age of 65 in the Month of Ramadhaan three years before migration to Madinah Munawwarah. She spent 25 years with Nabi Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam, 15 years before Prophethood and 10 years after.

She was the first to accept Islam. She first married Ateeq ibn Aabid and gave birth to a boy who was named Abdullah. Ateeq subsequently passed away. She then married Abu Haalah and had three children, Hind, Haarith and Zaynab. At the age of 35 she was widowed for a second time.

At the request of his uncle, Nabi Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam joined Khadeejah Radiyallahu 'Anhaa in trade. One day, Khadeejah Radiyallahu Anha saw a dream in which she saw the sun setting in her home. Waraqah ibn Nawfal interpreted this dream to mean that the light of Prophethood would enter her home. After much contemplation, she decided to marry him but was hesitant to make the first move. She therefore requested her friend Nafeesah bint Maniyyah to take matters forward. Upon receiving the proposal, Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam went to his incle Abu Taalib to seek his permission. Abi Taalib gave 20 camels as dowry to Khadeejah Radiyallahu 'Anhaa on behalf of Nabi Salallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

She gave birth to six of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam's children, Qasim, Abdullah, Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthoom and Faatimah (Radiyallahu 'Anhum Ajma'een).

For as long as she lived, Nabi Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam did not marry any other wife. After her demise, he would slaughter an animal on her behalf and distribute the meat among her friends and family. 

Blind Faith in Allah Ta‘ala

Blind Faith in Allah Ta‘ala

Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the Sahaabiyah of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), was a slave from Rome. She accepted Imaan in the very early stages of Islam. On account of her Islam, Abu Jahal and the other disbelievers would torture and persecute her.

After accepting Islam, Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) lost her eyesight and became blind. As soon as this happened, the disbelievers began to mock and taunt her saying, “Laat and ‘Uzzaa (two idols that were worshipped by the disbelievers) have made you blind because you have rejected and disbelieved in them!”

In the face of their taunts, Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) remained resolute and declared, “Laat and ‘Uzzaa are not even aware of who their worshippers are (as they are lifeless idols, so how can they blind me?). Rather, my blindness is from Allah Ta‘ala, and He is capable of restoring my sight.”

When Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) awoke the following morning, she found that Allah Ta‘ala had restored her vision! The Quraish refused to accept that Allah Ta‘ala had cured her and thus said, “This is the black magic of Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”

Noticing the torture that she was suffering, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) purchased Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and set her free (as he had done with many other slaves who were tortured due to accepting Islam). (Usdul Ghaabah vol. 5, pg. 292)

Lessons:

1. Calamities and difficulties are actually tests from Allah Ta‘ala, to determine the strength of our Imaan and the level of our submission to His divine decree. The Imaan of Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was so strong that this test did not weaken her resolve or determination in the least. Instead, she placed her trust in Allah Ta‘ala who thereafter restored her vision.

2. Sometimes, it may happen that while a person is repenting and trying to change his life, he suddenly faces a calamity or test (e.g. he cancels his insurance policy, and shortly thereafter his car or house is destroyed). This calamity should not make him lose hope or become despondent. Rather, he should think to himself that Allah Ta‘ala is testing him in order to determine whether he was sincere in his repentance or not. If he was insincere, then at the slightest sign of adversity and difficulty, he will renege on his repentance and return to the sin.

A Unique Nikaah (Pious Women) ~ Part One

(Sayyidah Ummu Habeebah radhiyallahu ‘anha – Part One) Which of the blessed wives of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was closest to him, yet also the furthest from him, at the time of their marriage? Which of the blessed wives of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was given the most mahr (dowry), yet Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not give her anything as dowry? The answer to both of the above questions is: Sayyidah Ummu Habeebah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married her while she was in Abyssinia, having migrated there to escape the persecution of the Quraish. She was thus the wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) who was the furthest from him at the time of their marriage. However, from all the respected wives of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), she is the most closely related to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in lineage. She was given the most mahr of all the noble wives of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as her mahr was four hundred dinaars (gold coins). However, Najaashi (rahimahullah), the king of Abyssinia, had given her this amount from his own wealth, on behalf of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not personally give her the mahr. Sayyidah Ummu Habeebah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) is the daughter of Abu Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), sister of Mu‘aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and first cousin of ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). She was seventeen years old when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was blessed with nubuwwah (prophethood) by Allah Ta‘ala, and she accepted Islam during its initial period in Makkah Mukarramah. There is a difference of opinion regarding the name of Sayyidah Ummu Habeebah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). While some ‘Ulama have mentioned her name to be Hind, the preferred view is that her name was ‘Ramlah’. She was given the kunyah (filial title) ‘Ummu Habeebah’ after the birth of her daughter, Habeebah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). Insha-Allah, over the next few weeks, we will discuss a few lesson-filled incidents from the life of our beloved mother, Sayyidah Ummu Habeebah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). (Reference: Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 2, pg. 219, Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 96, Al-Isaabah vol. 8, pg. 140, Usdul Ghaabah vol. 5, pg. 287 and Al-Istee‘aab vol. 4, pg. 401) (to be continued insha-Allah)